Francesca’s Best of 2016

Putting this list together made me sad. Why, you may ask? Because looking back at what I read in 2016 shows me that I have very few 5 star reads. There’s an overwhelming amount of 3-3.5 star reads and the MOST DNF books ever, in my life. Something needs to change next year. I definitely need to pick better what I read. But… I did manage to find some great books that I wanted to highlight here.

Say what? I’ve had Colleen Hoover as my author of the year a few years back and then my love affair with her stories sort of fell off after the last few releases. It just wasn’t getting to me the way her original work did. Then along came IT ENDS WITH US. It’s not all about the romance, it’s about the journey and the healing. The suffering and the struggle. Just the emotions that this book provoked in me. And to this day, it was one of the few releases that when I was looking back on my reads of the year it still brought me back to how I felt reading it. Great job with this one. And because I like to cheat, I’ll give you an honorable mention. My second favorite was ALL THE UGLY AND WONDERFUL THINGS by Bryn Greenwood because GAHHHH that book and the writing were daring and just gave me ALL.THE.FEELS. Shouty capitals needed.

I was so undecided!!!! Not that you can’t tell I’m a mess because I have two choices for a few things on this list. But there were two books I read this series that are new to me and have left me wanting more from these talented authors. I give you CINDER first because this was a book of the month read on our GoodReads group and I was so happy this made me read it because otherwise I’ve been shoving this read to the side anytime someone recommends it to me. And it’s a great YA, sci fi and steampunk book rolled into one. I really loved this world. And the honorable mention goes to GARDEN SPELLS by Sarah Addison Allen because it’s just magically written in a way that was beautiful to experience.

I’ve been looking for a new good paranormal story most of the year. Then along came DEATH AND RELAXATION and, on a whim, I decided to give it a try. I loved the feel of this book. It’s a small town feel urban fantasy with quirky and fun characters and lots of craziness they get into with each book. A nice mix of paranormal creatures that go bump in the night and mythology with plenty of small town charm. I am looking forward to more in this series next year.

So this year I finished reading the first trilogy in the Kushiel’s Legacy and I couldn’t leave Phedre out of this list because she’s an epic character. Reading the second trilogy she plays a much smaller role and I can’t say enough how much the strength of this character and all the adversities she faces and pushes through with so much love for the service of her Goddess and for her loved ones. Truly a powerful heroine, a quiet strength that I admire.

Mark this day in a calendar… I’ve picked two GOOD BOYS for my favorite hero. Maybe it’s because the bad boys didn’t wow me as much this year, or the fact that these two good boys are so perfect you can’t help but fall completely in love, but that I did. It helps that they are both incredibly sexy as well and…. bearded. I guess that’s a thing for me? And I kind of love them equally so I just couldn’t pick. These good boys are the sweetest to their heroines, but once they are alone with the woman they want they are HOT. Perfection.

I have a thing for Daniel Dos Santos artwork. No one can do better. Every time a new Briggs cover comes out I am anxious and excited. I always want his work on my shelves! Just beautiful and perfectly Mercy.

I had several DNF books this year, and I even had some big letdowns that I managed to finished (and some were ok) but I had such high hopes for. I admit, I let my hopes get so high because of the hype. I had never read this author before. The style of writing (and I don’t know if it’s just this book or all his work) was so not for me. So much so that I felt compelled to write a DNF review because I just had so much to rant about.

This year was THEIR year. I feel as if they got two books with THE BEAST and BLOOD VOW as their story is the big focus of both, and I couldn’t have been happier. I love them and I loved seeing their struggles in a non-romantic way. Through all that their love was always a constant rock and I fell in love with Rhage all over again for it.

Yes, the sex is hot. I could pinpoint several scenes here from the first time Cora saw Ren at a party and watched him get a blowjob by some other girl, to the m/m scenes between Ren and Hayes, and the explosive things that can happen when Hayes takes on his role as a Dom for both Ren and Cora. But what makes each scene even better is the build up of their relationship and their connection. All the strings are so intertwined that you can’t separate the sex from the emotions and each one is more powerful than the next. Intense and scorching.

J.R. Ward

This couldn’t go any other way for me this year. She delivered some amazing books, but more than that it’s the feeling I get every time I read her words. I had a conversation with Annie recently about the atmosphere in her books. It’s tangible to me. I can read one word, one sentence, and I’m transported to the world she’s describing. I feel as if I know the characters (because… of course I do!). It just makes me giddy with excitement and happiness. And I cannot wait for another year of Ward releases to look forward to. They can never come fast enough for me.

Day 9

ARC copy of HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN by Kristen Painter
CONSUMED BY FIRE by Anne Stuart
Hardcover copy of A SHOE ADDICT’S CHRISTMAS by Beth Harbison
SAFE AT LAST by Maya Banks
TAILORED FOR TROUBLE by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
NO ORDINARY BILLIONAIRE by J.S. Scott
ARC copy of DARK CAROUSEL by Christine Feehan
SIGNED copy of DARKER THAN DESIRE by Shiloh Walker
SIGNED copy of FATAL AFFAIR by Marie Force
UNDER THE DESERT SKY by Sara Luck
HANGING BY A THREAD by Jenna Sutton

I’m a 30 something sun lover living in the Big Apple (read New York).I’m a book and coffee addict and lover of all things elephants.

I get easily distracted by pictures of sexy guys and have tons of book boyfriends.I keep all my alpha males chained to my basement and guard them fiercely.*Back off bitches*I like to see Jason Momoa as a lot of those boyfriends, because ….. mmmmmmm JASON.MOMOA!

I’m a part time graphic designer (yes, everything you see on UTC has been done by me), run my husband's business from home and on a good day I’m a self appointed superwoman (she who can do it all).I love blogging with my girls and I couldn’t do it any other way!My first love is everything paranormal, but in the past few years I’ve re-learned to love contemporary romance.Every once in a while I like to mix things up with a historical romance, a steampunk or an LGBT book.Because I need variety to avoid book slumps.I don’t always need an HEA although I prefer one, and I love authors that can rip my heart out and make me ugly cry.

Fun list! Very surprised there are two good boys! I guess sometimes good does win! 😉

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2 years ago

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Jolanda L

Also a great list! <3 Thank you

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2 years ago

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Artemis Giote

I loved Tucker too. Cinder is great, the whole series is amazing!!!!!

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2 years ago

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Esther Gerdzen

Love Jacqueline Carey’s books they are so awesome . Also great list of other books .
Happy Holidays 🎄
Thank you for the chance 💕

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2 years ago

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Kathleen Bylsma

Thanks, Franny , and Merry Christmas!

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2 years ago

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miki

oki i haven’t read fire touched yet but it’s on my wishlist, all the other i haven’t read either ( didn’t read a lot in 2016)

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2 years ago

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Banana cake

Great list! My favorite new to me author is Jenna Sutton.

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2 years ago

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Andra

I like Daniel Dos Santos’ artwork too! He is so talented!

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2 years ago

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Timitra

Great list Francesca!

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2 years ago

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Trix

I need to read more of these! Since I love Bowen/Kennedy’s HIM (still need to read US), I especially have to check out theirs…

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2 years ago

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Joanna M

Cinder, Rhage & Mary, and J.R. Ward, heck yeah!!

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2 years ago

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Amy Ryan

I love the Mercy Thompson series especially on audio with Lorelei King narrating! And you can’t not like JR wards BDB 😀 Thanks for the giveaway Happy Christmas!

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2 years ago

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Lisa

Thanks for the list. I really enjoyed the epicness of the Kushiel series. And I love Mercy Thompson, although I think I’m a couple books behind with that series.

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2 years ago

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Sophia Rose

Many of those were wins for me, too. Yes, it was neat that this was Rhage and Mary’s year.

Sad about the average reads and the DNFs. I had that happen, too. For me, it was due to exploring new to me authors, genres, and book elements so I was glad I did it because I found some good ones, too.

I love the cover art for Patricia Briggs’ books too and they are some of the few that I insist on owning a hard copy.

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2 years ago

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Mary Preston

Looking fantastic.

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2 years ago

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Mess

Thank you for the list! Really need to read Loving you is Easy.

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2 years ago

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AmandaS

Great list! It’s making me think about what my own list would be

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2 years ago

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Bube

I love Off Campus Series by Elle Kennedy 🙂
Great List Francesca! 🙂

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2 years ago

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Nicole Ortiz

Great choices
Thanks for the chance

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2 years ago

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lea

Thanks for the cchance <3

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2 years ago

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Irma J

Great choice but so are all the rest 🙂 Merry Christmas to you all.

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2 years ago

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Betul E.

I love Daniel Dos Santos artwork too!! Mercy Thompson series is still one of my favorite UF series.

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2 years ago

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Texas Book Lover

Great list. I love Roni Loren!

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2 years ago

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Paige

Loving You Easy by Roni Loren is absolutely one of the hottest books ever.

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2 years ago

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Anne

I’m a Daniel Dos Santos fan too. He dos the coverart work for 4 or 5 series I read.

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2 years ago

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Tanya Guthrie

Yes to everything you said about JR Ward!! <3

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2 years ago

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Janie McGaugh

Great choices! I’ve been meaning to try some of these.

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2 years ago

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Mariann Murvai

happy holidays 🙂

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2 years ago

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Laura Lovejoy-Brunk

Happy Holidays and good luck to all !

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2 years ago

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KateS

YES, It Ends With Us – BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR!

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2 years ago

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Joanne B

Love that picture with JR Ward. I agree with Rhage and Mary. This was their year.